Drew Shore and the University of Denver announced Thursday that the star center will return for his junior season, eliminating what would have been a spring and summer’s worth of speculation.

Shore, a sophomore who is coming off a breakout season that included team highs in points (46), goals (23), power-play goals (eight), faceoff percentage (61) and plus-minus rating (plus-29), was selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round (44th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft.

Like any NHL draft pick committed or playing for an NCAA team, Shore’s professional rights will remain with the team that drafted him until he graduates or signs.

“I couldn’t be more sure that it was best to continue my development at DU, and the NHL can wait for at least one more year,” Shore said in a statement.

Shore is expected to be named DU’s MVP at the team’s April 22 banquet.

CenturyLink, the telecommunications company that ended its sponsorship agreement with Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall because of his protests during the national anthem last year, said it will not terminate its agreement with current client Emmanuel Sanders.